Angel, President at i2i Corporate Strategies: Advize Career Interview
A dynamic career journey from internships at Los Alamos Labs and PAC Bell to the presidency of i2i Corporate Strategies is highlighted by a blend of technical expertise and business acumen.
This path involved significant revenue growth at Intel, Medtronic, and Phillips Semiconductor, followed by law school, corporate law, and venture capital.
The current role focuses on assisting early-stage startups with fundraising and acquisitions, demanding a globally dispersed team and high emotional intelligence.
A love for rapid industry change, particularly in Silicon Valley, and the opportunity to learn from "the best and brightest" are key motivators.
Success in this field requires dynamic personality, effective communication, and a deep understanding of the industry.
Valuable lessons learned include the importance of teamwork, the unexpected enjoyment of the work, and the power of diverse networks built through experiences such as undergraduate leadership roles.
The interview emphasizes the importance of internships for entry-level roles and the need for an MBA in many cases.
Navigating a career as a first-generation college student and Latino required extra effort in seeking mentorship to compensate for the lack of early guidance.
The overall message encourages students to pursue diverse experiences and develop strong interpersonal skills for a rewarding and impactful career.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Angel Orrantia
President
i2i Corporate Strategies
Stanford
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey; Notre Dame - JD
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Engineering - Electrical
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Business Strategy
International Student, Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Student Athlete, First Generation College Student
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path Of A President At I2i Corporate Strategies
Angel's career journey reflects a dynamic blend of technical expertise and business acumen, starting with internships at Los Alamos Labs and PAC Bell, followed by roles at Intel, Medtronic, and Phillips Semiconductor where they "went from about $70,000 a month in revenue...to a little over $700 million a year." This path led to law school, corporate law, venture capital, and ultimately, the creation of i2i Corporate Strategies, leveraging their extensive experience in navigating acquisitions, building divisions, and guiding startups through funding and exits.
Main Responsibilities of a President at i2i Corporate Strategies
Angel, President at i2i Corporate Strategies, primarily assists early-stage startups in preparing for "raising capital or to be acquired," with IPO work currently less prevalent due to market conditions, although i2i did recently celebrate a client's SPAC IPO.
A Day In The Life Of A President At I2i Corporate Strategies
Angel's role as President at i2i Corporate Strategies involves a globally dispersed team, resulting in a "very demanding" yet flexible schedule that extends beyond typical working hours; the position allows Angel the freedom to integrate personal tasks and appointments throughout the day, unlike a traditional "nine to five" job.
Most Important Skills For A Consultant At i2i Corporate Strategies
For a consulting career like Angel's, technical competence is "table stakes," but the most crucial skill is high emotional intelligence (EQ)—understanding the root causes of client problems, not just the symptoms—to provide effective solutions. This focus on "understanding not just what the client is saying their problems are, but really trying to understand what led to those problems" highlights the importance of in-depth analysis for success in this field.
Favorite Parts of Being a President at i2i Corporate Strategies
Angel, President at i2i Corporate Strategies, most enjoys the daily opportunity to meet "the best and brightest people," often world experts, and learn "multiple times a day," gaining invaluable insights into diverse fields. This constant learning and exposure to brilliant minds is a highlight of the role.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a President at i2i Corporate Strategies
Angel, President at i2i Corporate Strategies, identifies "deal flow"—securing and maintaining a sufficient client base for consistent revenue—as the biggest challenge in their consulting role. This highlights the constant need for business development to ensure the financial stability of the firm and its employees, a common concern for those in similar positions.
Favorite Parts of Working in Technology as a President at i2i Corporate Strategies
Angel, President at i2i Corporate Strategies, finds the rapid pace of change in the Silicon Valley tech industry most enjoyable, stating that "it happens first, and it happens fastest here." This allows access to cutting-edge technology and the unique opportunity to witness "nascent industries begin from...the seed stage and grow up to be entire industries."
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Venture Capital Industry According To A President At I2i Corporate Strategies
Angel, President at i2i Corporate Strategies, describes successful venture capitalists as "dynamic," possessing multifaceted personalities beyond a single skill set; the ability to articulate ideas effectively and demonstrate a breadth of interests and depth of knowledge significantly exceeding that found in other industries is key to success in this field.
What a President at i2i Corporate Strategies Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Corporate Strategy Industry
Angel, President at i2i Corporate Strategies, wished someone had shared how "much fun it could be" in the industry before beginning their career, suggesting this realization could have led to earlier entry and greater advancement. The unexpected enjoyment of the role is highlighted as a key takeaway influencing their career trajectory.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Venture Capitalists
Angel, a President at i2i Corporate Strategies and partner in a fund of funds, advises that undergraduate students interested in venture capital (VC) should target internships as "it's a pretty tricky industry to get into" otherwise. Post-graduation, an MBA is typically required to gain entry-level VC roles due to the need for experience in judging startups and establishing industry networks.
Significant Career Lesson From a President at i2i Corporate Strategies
Angel's most significant career lesson, learned at Intel, is "being able to disagree, but commit," a principle that fostered highly effective teamwork throughout their career. This approach, prioritizing decisive action after open discussion, enabled consistent project success at Medtronic and remains a cornerstone of their current management style, even within a fully virtual workforce.
College Experiences That Helped A President At i2i Corporate Strategies Succeed
Angel's undergraduate involvement in sports and leadership roles, specifically as president of the Chicano Engineering Society and the university's engineering society, provided invaluable experience in "managing a budget" and "managing people." This experience directly translated to career success, allowing Angel to confidently answer key interview questions and open doors to opportunities that otherwise would not have been available.
How Identity Influenced a President's Career at i2i Corporate Strategies
Angel, a first-generation college student and Latino, describes feeling "behind the eight ball," lacking guidance on choosing a major and career path. This necessitated greater effort in seeking mentorship to compensate for the lack of early career guidance, impacting the trajectory and timeline of their professional development.
Advizer Personal Links